Thursday, October 30, 2008

Invasive Algae Huki for Pōʻalua - ʻOkakopa 28




Aloha kākou,

Todayʻs tally was 4213 lbs of invasive algae pulled off Paiko Beach. Mahalo nui to all of the combined Mālama Maunalua and Nature Conservancy Crew for their good work.

The cleared plots are growing larger with each pull. We are only approx. 10 feet away from an area of native sea grass (Halophila hawaiiana) which is endemic to Hawaii. It will be interesting to monitor the cleared areas as we get closer to and meet the sea grass beds and see if the sea grass starts to take hold in the clearings.

Big mahalo to Glenn Nii and the Nii family for allowing us to drop pulled avrainvillea at their plant nursery in Kamilonui Valley (bottom picture). Also, big mahalo to Mark & Brooke Loughridge for allowing us to use one of their kayaks.



Sunday, October 26, 2008

Similarities Between Lokoea & Kanewai Fish Ponds

Lokoea fish pond is an ancient fish pond with a rich history. Lokoea is located just north of Hale'iwa town on the north shore of Oʻahu just a little ways to the Kahuku side once you pass over the old Anahulu River bridge which is a famous landmark in Haleʻiwa.

Lokoea is a fish pond of the Puʻuone type. Kanewai fish pond in Kuliʻouʻou is also of the Puʻuone type. The Puʻuone type fishponds are rare on Oʻahu. Puʻuone can mean "divination" or "pond near the shore".

A Puʻuone type pond is described of as a type of pond that is located near the shore. It's fresh water originates from streams or underground springs. Lokoea receives its water from an upwelling of springwater near Kawailoa which fed an adjacent fish pond called ʻUkoʻa. The water from ʻUkoʻa than flows into Lokoea. Kanewai receives it fresh water from underground springs that flow into the pond from Kuliʻouʻou Valley and Kuliʻouʻou ridge mauka of Kanewai.

These brackish water ponds are connected to the ocean by ʻauwai kai or salt water ditches. The ʻauwai of Lokoea is connected directly to the ocean and this ʻauwai extends beneath Kamehameha highway today where it connects to Waialua Bay. The ʻauwai of Kanewai is connected to Paiko Lagoon which inturn is connected to Maunalua Bay by an inlet in which I am guessing is approximately 50 feet wide.

The fresh water flow to both of these ponds has been reduced in more recent years by the diversion of water. In Lokoea's case, by Waialua Sugar Company when the land above Haleʻiwa was in sugar cane production. Kanewai fish ponds fresh water flow has been reduced by the widening of Kalanianaʻole Highway a few years back just as the neighboring Kalauhaeʻhae fish ponds fresh water flow has in Niu.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Invasive Algae Huki for Pōʻaono - ʻOkakopa 11





Big mahalo to all Malama Maunalua volunteers who came out on Saturday to pull invasive algae at Paiko Beach. Grand total pulled was 6335 lbs (give or take a few lbs). Over 3 tons......Amazing job by everyone!!!

Nui nui mahalo also to our regular Nature Conservancy Crew of Marion, Russell, Koa, Manuel, Janice & Pauline for all their support and in arranging this event. Also, big mahalo to Eric Co for getting us started on the whole seaweed removal project several months back and for his continuing support.

It was an honor to have the Nature Conservancy board members come out and visit us. Mahalo nui to all TNC board members for their hard work weighing and loading bags of algae on to the truck during their visit.

Mahalo to Kevin Mulkern for use of his companies truck and Holy Trinity School & Church for providing parking for Saturdays event. Mahalo to all who supplied food & drink during the day.